Power consumption control apparatus in pda phone

ABSTRACT

A power consumption control apparatus and a method thereof in the PDA phone comprise: transiting the PDA phone from an idle mode to a sleep mode automatically after a certain amount of time or by user&#39;s input signal; transiting the PDA phone from a called mode to the sleep mode automatically after a certain amount of time or by user&#39;s input signal; transiting the PDA phone from a calling mode to the sleep mode automatically after a certain amount of time or by user&#39;s input signal; and transiting the PDA phone from an in-call mode to the sleep mode automatically after a certain amount of time or by user&#39;s input signal, so that the power consumption control apparatus and the method thereof in a personal digital assistant (PDA) phone in accordance with the present invention can reduce power consumption of the PDA phone by transiting the PDA phone from a called mode, an in-called mode and a calling mode to a sleep mode, and cope with the circumstances which may occur in every state of the PDA phone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/055,226, filed Feb. 9, 2005, currently pending, which claims thebenefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 18114/2004, filed on Mar. 17, 2004, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a personal digital assistant (PDA)phone, and more particularly, to a power consumption control apparatusin a PDA phone.

2. Description of the Background Art

In general, a personal digital assistant (PDA) is a kind of hand-held(pocket-size) microcomputer. The PDA is typically used for arrangementschedule, memo writing and personal information management. In additionto the arrangement schedule, the PDA can be also used for the field ofthe mobile Internet or the like. In other words, the PDA can beconsidered as equipment in which various control functions and anInternet access function of a notebook computer are put together with asmall size of electronic organizer.

Recently, as interest in PDAs increases, the number of users has grownlarger. A PDA phone which has the cellular phone function in addition tovarious functions of the PDA has come into the market. Since the PDAphone converges the functions of the PDA and the phone function, it isnecessary that operation methods for the PDA phone should be arrangedaccording to various states.

As functions of user equipment driven by portable batteries such assmart phones and PDA phones become complicated and varied, and theperformance of user equipment is enhanced, power consumption per unit oftime is considerably increased. Accordingly, in order to reduce thepower consumption of the user equipment, controlling the power forsoftware and hardware becomes more important to design the userequipment. Hardware components such as a CPU, a memory device, an LCDand the like which constitute the user equipment cause thismultifunction, high-performance user equipment to consume much power.

Particularly, a PDA phone in accordance with the conventional artcomprises a sleep mode, an idle mode, a called mode, an in-call mode anda calling mode. A mode of the PDA phone in accordance with theconventional art can be transitioned only from the sleep mode to theidle mode. The mode of the PDA phone in accordance with the conventionalart can be transitioned only from the idle mode to the sleep mode.

Hereinafter, a state transition of the conventional PDA phone will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe conventional art.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a user wakes up the PDA phone, a sleep mode 11is transitioned to an idle mode 12 (S11). In a state of the idle mode12, the idle mode 12 is transitioned to the sleep mode 11 automaticallyafter a certain amount of time or by user's input signal (S12).

When a call signal is received in the state of the idle mode 12, theidle mode 12 is transitioned to a called mode (S13). If the call signalis not accepted in a state of the called mode 13, that is, if the userdoes not answer the phone, the called mode 13 is transitioned to theidle mode 12 (S14).

If the received call signal is accepted in the state of the called mode13, that is, if the user answers the phone, the called mode 13 istransitioned to the in-call mode 14 (S15).

In addition, if the user presses a telephone number signal in order tomake a phone call with the other party in the state of the idle mode 12,that is, sends a call signal, the idle mode 12 is transitioned to acalling mode 15 (S16). If the user cancels the sent call signal in astate of the calling mode 15, that is, if the user stops making a phonecall, the calling mode 15 is transitioned to the idle mode 12 again(S17).

If the other party accepts the call signal in the state of the callingmode 15, that is, if the other party answers the phone, the calling mode15 is transitioned to the in-call mode 14 (S18).

If the call signal is terminated in a state of the in-call mode 14, thatis, if the user terminates the call, the in-call mode 14 is transitionedto the idle mode 12 (S19).

Here, the sleep mode 11 cannot be implemented by the user. In the sleepmode 11, a screen of the PDA phone is turned off, touch input and keypadinput cannot be made and a state only for answering the phone ismaintained. Accordingly, the PDA phone operates in the sleep mode 11 atthe minimum power.

The idle mode 12 is a state that the power which is applied to a CPU, acache and a buffer is cut off. In addition, the idle mode 12 is a modethat when an interrupt occurs, the sleep mode, the called mode, thein-call mode and the calling mode return. Here, in the idle mode 12,user's operation is all allowed, the screen of the PDA phone is turnedon, and touch input and keypad input can be made. That is, the idle modeis a state only for the PDA purpose. Since the PDA phone operates in theidle mode 12 with a certain amount of power internally consumed, the PDAphone consumes more power in the idle mode than in the sleep mode 11.

The called mode 13 is a state that the call signal sent by the otherparty is received and a telephone bell rings before the phone call isconnected. Therefore, the PDA phone consumes more power in the calledmode 13 than in sleep mode 11.

The in-call mode 14 is a state that voice communication with the otherparty is performed. Accordingly, the PDA phone consumes more power inthe in-call mode 14 than in the sleep mode 11.

The calling mode 15 is a state that the user sends a call signal beforethe phone call is connected. Accordingly, the PDA phone consumes morepower in the calling mode 15 than in the sleep mode 11.

However, since the PDA phone in accordance with the conventional artmaintains the called mode, the in-call mode and the calling mode even inunnecessary steps, there is a problem that the PDA phone consumes muchpower. In addition, the conventional PDA phone is unable to cope withthe circumstances which may occur in every state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a powerconsumption control apparatus and a method thereof in a PDA phone inaccordance with the present invention which can reduce power consumptionof the PDA phone by transiting the PDA phone from a called mode, anin-called mode and a calling mode to a sleep mode, and cope with thecircumstances which may occur in every state of the PDA phone.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,there is provided a power consumption control method in a PDA phonewhich comprises: transiting the PDA phone from an idle mode to a sleepmode automatically after a certain amount of time or by user's inputsignal; transiting the PDA phone from a called mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;transiting the PDA phone from a calling mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;and transiting the PDA phone from an in-call mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a table showing how much power the PDA phone consumes in eachmode in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of a power consumption controlapparatus and a method thereof in a PDA phone in accordance with thepresent invention which can reduce power consumption of the PDA phone bytransitioning the PDA phone from a called mode, an in-call mode and acalling mode to a sleep mode, and cope with the circumstances which mayoccur in every state of the PDA phone.

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a table showing how much power the PDA phone consumes in eachmode in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power consumption control apparatus in a PDAphone in accordance with the present invention can perform the steps oftransitioning the PDA phone from an idle mode to a sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;transitioning the PDA phone from a called mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;transitioning the PDA phone from a calling mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;and transitioning the PDA phone from an in-call mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal.

Hereinafter, a power consumption control method in a PDA phone inaccordance with the present invention will be described in detail.

First, when the power is inputted to a PDA phone, a mode of the PDAphone becomes a sleep mode 21. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDA phonein the sleep mode has 21.2 mW power consumption.

In a state of the sleep mode 21, if the user wakes up the PDA phone, thesleep mode 21 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S21). Here, thewake-up occurs by user's operation. For example, said user's operationcan be done by pressing a specific button for a certain amount of timeor more or by turning a switch on. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDAphone in the idle mode has 296˜525.2 mW power consumption.

In a state of the idle mode 22, the idle mode 22 is transitioned to thesleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or the idle mode22 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 after a certainamount of time passes (S22).

In the state of the idle mode 22, the PDA phone receives a call signal,the idle mode 22 is transitioned to the called mode 23 (S23). The PDAphone consumes more power in the called mode 23 than in the sleep mode21.

In the state of the sleep mode 21, when the PDA phone receives a callsignal, the sleep mode 21 is transitioned to the called mode 23 (S24).

In a state of the called mode 23, if the call signal is no longerreceived because the user does not accept the received call signal, thecalled mode 23 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S25).

In the state of the called mode 23, the called mode 23 is transitionedto the sleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or thecalled mode 23 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 aftera certain amount of time passes (S26). That is, while a bell is ringingas the PDA phone receives a call signal, the called mode 23 istransitioned to the sleep mode 21 if the bell rings for more than a timepreviously set by the user. Accordingly, since the PDA phone consumesmore power in the called mode 23 than in the sleep mode 21, the powerconsumption of the PDA phone is reduced by transitioning the PDA phonefrom the called mode 23 to the sleep mode 21. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the PDA phone in the called mode 23 has 296 to 525.2 mW powerconsumption, and PDA phone in the sleep mode 21 transitioned from thecalled mode has 21.2 mW power consumption.

In the state of the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the called mode 23,when the PDA phone receives the other party's call signal again, thesleep mode 21 is transitioned to the called mode 23 (S27). As a result,since the call signal is received according to a certain period, themode of the PDA phone is alternately transitioned to the called mode 23and the sleep mode 21 after the time previously set by the user.However, that the screen of the PDA phone is turned on and off isinvisible to the naked eye because the certain period is very short.Thus, the screen of the PDA phone seems to be continuously turned on.

In the state of the called mode 23 or in the state of the sleep mode 21transitioned from the called mode 23, if the user accepts the receivedcall signal, the call mode 23 or the sleep mode 21 transitioned from thecalled mode 23 is transitioned to the in-call mode 24 (S28 and S29).

In the state of the idle mode 22, when the PDA phone sends a callsignal, the idle mode 22 is transitioned to the calling mode 25 (S30).That is, if the user makes a phone call with the other party, the modeof the PDA phone becomes the calling mode 25. The PDA phone consumesmuch power in the calling mode 25 than in the sleep mode 21.

In a state of the calling mode 25, when the PDA phone cancels sending ofthe call signal, that is, when the user stops making a phone call, thecalling mode 25 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S31).

In the state of the calling mode 25, the calling mode 25 is transitionedto the sleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or thecalling mode 25 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 aftera certain amount of time passes (S32). Accordingly, since the PDA phoneconsumes more power in the calling mode 25 than in the sleep mode 21transitioned from the calling mode, the power consumption of the PDAphone is reduced by transitioning the PDA phone from the calling mode 25to the sleep mode 21. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDA phone in thecalling mode 25 has 296 to 525.2 mW power consumption, and the PDA phonein the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the calling mode 25 has 21.2 mWpower consumption.

In the state of the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the calling mode 25,when the user forcibly wakes up the PDA phone, the sleep mode 21transitioned from the calling mode 25 is transitioned to the callingmode 25 (S33).

In the state of the calling mode 25 or in the state of the sleep mode 21transitioned from the calling mode 25, if the user accepts the sent callsignal, the calling mode 25 or the sleep mode 21 transitioned from thecalling mode 25 is transitioned to the in-call mode 24 (S34 and S35).

In a state of the in-call mode 24, the in-call mode 24 is transitionedto the sleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or thein-call mode 24 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 aftera certain amount of time passes (S36). That is, if the user presses abutton for transitioning the mode of the PDA phone to the sleep mode 21or if talk time with other party exceeds a certain amount of time, themode of the PDA phone becomes the sleep mode 21. Accordingly, since thePDA phone consumes more power in the in-call mode 24 than in the sleepmode 21 transitioned from the in-call mode, the power consumption of thePDA phone is reduced by transitioning the PDA phone from the in-callmode 24 to the sleep mode 21. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDA phone inthe in-call mode 24 has 1389 to 2049.8 mW power consumption, and the PDAphone in the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-call mode 24 has1334.7 to 1926.0 mW power consumption.

In the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-call mode 24, if the userwakes up the PDA phone, the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-callmode 24 is transitioned to the in-call mode 24 (S37).

In the state of the in-call mode 24 or in the state of the sleep mode 21transitioned from in-call mode 24, when the phone call is terminated,the in-call mode 24 or the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-callmode 24 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S38 and S39).

As so far described in detail, a power consumption control apparatus anda method thereof in a PDA phone in accordance with the present inventioncan reduce the power consumption of the PDA phone by transitioning thePDA phone from a called mode, an in-called mode and a calling mode to asleep mode, and cope with the circumstances which may occur in everystate of the PDA phone.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within itsspirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore allchanges and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of theclaims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intendedto be embraced by the appended claims.

1. A power consumption control apparatus in a mobile terminal comprisingfunctions of a PDA phone, wherein the apparatus is configured to:transition the mobile terminal from a sleep mode to an idle mode inresponse to an input signal received via an input key; transition themobile terminal from the idle mode to the sleep mode automatically aftera certain amount of time or in response to an input signal; transitionthe mobile terminal from a calling mode to the sleep mode automaticallyafter a certain amount of time or in response to an input signal; andtransition the mobile terminal from an in-call mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or in response to an inputsignal, wherein operation modes of the mobile terminal comprise thesleep mode in which the least amount of power is consumed by a displayof the apparatus among the operation modes, the idle mode in which morepower is consumed by the display of the apparatus compared to the powerconsumption in the sleep mode but less power is consumed by the displayof the apparatus compared to power consumption in the called mode or thecalling mode, and the called mode, the calling mode, and the in-callmode in which the most amount of power is consumed among the operationmodes.